Description
This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is a delicious twist on the classic side dish, featuring fresh green beans, crisp bacon, and a creamy cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and parmesan. Topped with crispy French fried onions and baked to golden perfection, it’s the perfect comforting addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 1/2 lbs fresh green beans
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Meat
- 1 lb bacon, chopped
Dairy
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
Pantry
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups French fried onions
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Prepare Green Beans. Trim the ends of the green beans and cut them in half if desired. Set aside.
- Blanch Green Beans. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 4 minutes. Immediately transfer beans to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry.
- Cook Bacon. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain fat. Set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic. Wipe the skillet clean of grease and add the butter. Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Make Roux. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute continuously stirring to remove raw flour taste.
- Add Milk and Thicken Sauce. Gradually pour in the whole milk while stirring constantly. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Finish Cheese Sauce. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in the heavy cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth. Then stir in half of the cooked bacon and half of the French fried onions.
- Assemble Casserole. Arrange the blanched green beans evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the green beans and stir gently to combine.
- Bake Casserole. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking. Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle the remaining bacon and French fried onions evenly on top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the onions are golden and crispy.
- Serve. Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy your cheesy green bean casserole!
Notes
- Blanching the green beans before baking helps them stay crisp-tender and vibrant in color.
- Use full-fat dairy for the creamiest sauce, but substitution with lower fat milk and cream is possible.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add extra cheese or smoked paprika for flavor.
- French fried onions can be found in most grocery stores or substituted with homemade crispy fried shallots.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Make sure to pat the green beans dry after blanching to avoid a watery casserole.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
